Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Shotokan Karate Belt Testing Requirements

Shotokan Karate Belt Testing Requirements
Shotokan Karate
Belt Testing Requirements

Now Ready For Release!




YES! As a Dojo Key Subscriber, you will now also have access to suggested Shotokan Belt Testing Requirements - From Yellow Belt Testings through to Black Belt Testing!



Instructors: Download them, print them out and have them on hand as you prepare your own lesson plans.

Students: The Testing Requirements Booklet was designed to serve as a Home-Study Guide for Shotokan Karate Students who are preparing for Belt Examinations; from Yellow Belt - to Black Belt. Print it out. Bring it every where you train.





Do you experience pre-testing jitters? You will benefit greatly by learning new perspectives to bring into your Karate Meditation.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Fall 2007 Lesson Plans

Wow!



I am so thrilled with the response to the latest newsletter announcing the Fall 2007 Karate Lesson Plan Booklet that has been added to the paid subscriber area of MyShotokan, known as Sensei's Office.




There have been so many replies, questions and requests for more information, that I'm working on putting together ONE FREE CHAPTER of the exclusive Lesson Plan Booklet, to be included with the Shotokan Kata Videos in the Free Members area!




Many of the questions I've received (from all around the world, which still boggles my mind), were about testing requirements.


Comming Soon!


Dojo Key Holders with access to Sensei's Office will soon be delighted with a booklet of Canadain Shotokan Belt Testing Requirements from Yellow Belt Testing Requirements, all the way through to Black Belt Testing Requirements - and even including combinations required for Second Degree Black Belt Testing!


But I would like to add more

I recall from early in my training years, a testing silibus (sp) from KUGB that was very different, with many challenging combinations that are different than the testing requirements I will be putting together and listing here. I would be endlessly greatful if someone (you) could send me a copy of the Shotokan Belt Testing Requirements - from where ever you live in the world.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Creating drive in your stance

The last time I had a few students test for their next belt, my Sensei pointed out that one of my students had "no drive" in her stances.


I looked at him with one eyebrow raised.


"What do you mean?" I'm thinking to myself "she is so strong I can hardly block her punches! I think she has lots of drive."


Seeing the unbeliving look on my face,
Sensei repeated "No drive! No drive!"


And I'm thinking... "?"


Finally I say, "Sensei, I'm coming to the main Dojo to train for a few days. If she doesn't have drive, and I don't know it - then I must not have drive in my stances. " (Sensei nods to confirm) I continue "When I come to train, could you run through a few practice drills to help me work on creating drive in my stance?"



Zoom forward two weeks. I'm in the home dojo.


Sensei had us stand in front stance with reverse punch out.



We repeated a basic combination:

Kizame Zuki, Gyaku Zuki
Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki
Soto Uke, Gyaku Zuki
Uchi Uke, Gyaku Zuki
Gedan Barrai, Gyaku Zuki


For the jab punch, Sensei had us check the pressure on our back leg to be sure we were pushing maximum, then for the first reverse punch, Sensei told us to push a bit harder with the back leg - as though we were pushing a car. The rising block required an extra strong push from the back leg to provide support against a strong attack - then push a bit harder with the back leg for the reverse punch...

For each successive block and punch, Sensei reminded us of how the back leg should feel as it supported the rest of the body and stance. After a few repetitions - my butt muscles were screaming! Just the fact that my gluteous muscles became so fatigued so quickly is evidence that I've not been creating drive correctly or powerfully enough.